Taco Tuesday

Many of my coworkers pick on me for my love of food.  I do get rather excited about mealtime, and you better believe I don't miss a meal.  Today I may have started planning for lunch as soon as I got out of bed because it is Tuesday! 

There is a little 'hole in the wall' Mexican restaurant near my work that we are all pretty much in love with.  It's called Tortilleria.  Everything is homemade including the tortillas, chips, salsa, and guacamole.  They are all delicious!  Typically I am not a fan of beef (I don't trust restaurants and where they might buy their meat.)  But the shredded beef at Tortilleria is absolutely mouth watering.  My mouth waters just thinking about it!  In addition to the tacos being amazing, on Tuesdays they are only $.99.  Thus, Taco Tuesday!  I was going to take a picture but I think I was so excited to eat that I forgot.  And the place was packed. 

With the craziness last week, today I got a chance to breath.  I was productive at work, and tonight I was productive at home.  I managed to get my lawn mowed and my kitchen cleaned.  I'm pretty excited about this! 

It's the small things sometimes that make the day successful.  Food always brightens my day.  And feeling accomplished is definitely a contributing factor.

Birthday Activities!

Last time I posted I was still in my 20's.  But almost a week ago I entered my 30's.  My birthday week had it's ups and downs.  Not because of the age; because I was sick!  It stinks to feel so miserable when you have so many great activities planned. 

My first birthday present to myself was not working!  I took off three days from work to rest and get away.  The day of my birthday, my mom and I went shopping for a birthday outfit to wear to my party.  We had chinese for lunch and went to a cute little bakery and had cupcakes with my best friend. 

The next day I got my hair done.  My beautiful cousin does my hair and she gave me flowers for my birthday. 

Friday, my dad took me to the shooting range and attempted to teach me how to shoot a gun.  (It's definitely not as easy as it looks.)  Saturday, was the big day of celebration.  My parents rented my favorite tea room for dinner and the menu was based around one of my favorite foods, manicotti.  Most of my local family and a few of my closest friends attended. 

This was the best cake EVER!!!!!

I share my birthday week with a very special little girl.  This is my cousin Autumn :)

After dinner I danced away to some 80's music with some friends....

We don't look like sisters at all!  But this one is pretty special!

These line dancing girls know how to party!

I think this girl and I are kindred spirits!

During all of these fun activities I had quite the cold.  I had sinus problems and a sore throat; Friday night I even lost my voice!  But nothing was going to slow me down or keep me from enjoying my birthday week! 

I feel incredibly blessed by how much effort my loved ones put into making this birthday special.  When I would try to have a party growing up no one would come :(  But so many special people came through for me without hesitation.  There was a lot of planning on the part of my parents and my sister.  I received a few gifts (not that the gifts were important but the effort and thoughtfulness went a long way with me.)  I feel overwhelmed by the desire people had to make me feel special.  I do not know how to say thank you enough.  But I am grateful from the depths of my heart. 

"I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you."  Philippians 1:3

This is one to remember!!!

Last day in my 20's....

Tomorrow's the big day!  I will be 30!!!  People talk about birthdays like something magical is going to happen on that day.  Since this is a big one, I'm sure tomorrow grey hairs will suddenly appear on my head and 10 extra pounds will take residence on my backside.  Ha ha ha!  I won't lie; I have been dreading tomorrow for the last year; I've been in denial that it's coming.  Everyone that's older than me seems to think it's stupid that I have these thoughts even though they probably did the same thing.  So let me experience these irrational emotions! 

I've gone through typical self-exploration.  I've analyzed all the things that I haven't been able to accomplish yet, but I really can't complain because I have accomplished so much!  For your sake I won't make a list for each of these categories but I know there are others that have done the same thing.  And even though I've been dreading this day, I'm kind of glad it's finally here.  This last year I've changed jobs, I've made several new friends, and I picked up a great new hobby.  I believe these changes have been in preparation for the next chapter in my life, my 30's.  

So, I took a few pictures of my last day as a 29 year old to remember the occasion. 

I don't look over 21?!  Why thank you!!!

High five just because I'm ridiculous.... 

I believe I deserve a birthday kiss!

What am I planning in celebration tomorrow?  The only plan is not to work!!!  I'm going to spend the day with my mom, maybe find a new birthday outfit for this weekend and RELAX!!! 

30 HERE I COME!!!!!!!!

My Words Are Insufficient

My heart cries for people; I want to take their pain; I can't.  Sometimes there are things I want to say, but my words are insufficient.  I pray God's faithfulness sustains you, God's peace engulfs you, and God's words comfort you. 

FAITH
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Mark 11:23 "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."

PRAYING FOR PEACE
Colossians 1:9 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."

James 5:13-15 "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

HIS COMFORT
James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Romans 8:18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."